Vending machine



Dec. 27, 1927.

Filed June 25. 1923 v"i Sheets-Sheet 1 EE M W T a M v R R a a 7 0 m a. MQ m g M w m m M u 5 w m m m mm m .2 w l \W\\\\\\\ Om TAQ J 2 2?.

A. B. VAR BLE Dec. 27, 1927.

VENDING MACHINE Filed June 25, 1923 '7 SheetsSheet 2 ALBERT B. VARBLE.

A. a. VARBLE VENDING MACHINE Filed June 25, 1925 '7 Sheets-Sheet 3ZlmuMoz ALBERT B. VARBLE.

Dec. 27', 1927.

A. B. VARBLE VENDING MACHINE Filed June 25, 1923 '7 Sheets-Sheet 4'luveMo c A1 55/7 75. V/IRBLE.

Dec. 27, 1927.

1,653,679 A. B. VARBLE VENDING MACHINE Filed June 25. 1925 v Sheets-Shet5 Dec. 27, 1927.

AB. VARBLE VENDI NG MACHI NE Filed June 25, 1923 Sheets- -sheet 6 ALBERTB. V/IRBLE.

attouwq Dec. 27, 1927. v 7 1,653,679

A. B. VARBLE VENDING MACHINE Filed June 25.. 1923 7 Sheets-Sheet 7lgm'vcntoz ALBERT B, V/l PBLE.

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Patented Dec. 27, 192.7.

llhllTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT B. VAR-ELIE, OF DAYTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOB T ABRAM L. ZENT, OFDAYTON,

OHIO. I

VENDING MACHINE.

Application filed June 25, 1923. Serial No. 647,552.

liver st or other artichn: of any one of a or aiL oi denominations orkinds at the op on ot the purchaser. I

' further object O]: the invention is to provide a machine oi? this kindwhich will he sir ole in its construction, positive in its opera-c l andcan he produced at a relatively lowcost.

tlther objects of the invention will appear as the mechanism isdescribed in detail.

in the accompanying drawings 1 is a front elevation, partly in section,of a machine embodying my invention showing a portion only of thecabinet; Fig. 2 is a rear hand end of the machine, as shown v 6 is adetail view of the coin oh c connecting device; Fig. 7 is a secalien onthe line 'ZT of Fig. 5; rtical section taken on the line lUOlilllg; 'nthe direction of the detail sectional view or supporting shaft showingthe manountinp; the yokes thereon; Fig. 10 l 1 view of the coincontrolled c011 nection between the actuating device and the controllingdevice, SllOWlng the connection established lor delivering ten centsworth of star s; Fig. 10 is a detail; Fig. 11 is a c i tional view tsimilar view showing the connection estabthe same; and Fig. 17 is adetail view of the actuating arms andtheir controlling cams for thismodified form of the device. Fig. 18 is a detail view of one of theroller supporting yolies and its actuating cam.

In these drawings I have illustrated one embodiment of my invention andhave shown the same as comprising a main frame consisting of end members1 and 2 connected one vto the other by tie bars 3, 4-, and 5, and by afront plate 6. This main frame is mounted upon a base 7 and is enclosedin a casing S, a portion of the rear wall of which is movable andconstitutes a closure 9 by means of which access may be had to theinterior of the casing. Means are provided for supporting withinthiscasing a plurality of strips of postage stamps, or other articlesconnected in strips, which are tobe vended. l fhile the machine isdesigned primarily for vending postage stamps it will be understoodthatiit may be utilized for dispensing various articles which areconnected one to the other in the form of elongated strips or Webs such,for exampla as tickets and savings certificates. The term stan1p orstamp strip asherein used is intended to include not only postage lararticles.

The present machine is designed to deliver at the option of thepurchaser a selected number of stamps oil a selected denomination. Tothis end the machine is provided with means for supporting thereinstrips of stamps of different denominations, in the presentinstance onecent stamps and two cent stamps, and is provided with separate coincontrolled. mechanisms for controlling the delivery ol stamps of therespective denominations. These mechanisms are mounted on the main frameand, as shown in Fig. l, the mechanism for controlling the delivery ofone cent stamps is at the right hand end oi the machine and themechanism for controlling the two cent stampsis at the left hand end ofthe machine. The controlling mechanisms are substantially identical withthe exception that the mechanism for controlling the delivery of onecent stamps has means for controlling two strips of stamps while themechanism for the two cent stamps is designed to control but a singlestrip of stamps. Each coin controlled mechanism comprises a verticallyarranged coin chute 10 having a forward extending portion ll stamps butany such simi- Lil whichcinnnnluicates with a slot in the front wall ofthe casing it. through whirlrthc coins may be deposited in the coinchute.

Postage stamps whenfurnishedin strips are usually wound in rolls and inthese draw ings I have shown three rolls of stamps, 12, ill; and Li,loosely lllOUIlteLlOll a shaft l5 extending lengthwise of the machineand, 111 the present instance, monntedin brackets 16 on the forwardlyextending portions 11 of the coin chutes. One of these rolls, 12,consists of two cent stamps and the other two rolls, 13 and 14, consistof one cent stamps. The web or strip of stamps iscarried from each rolldownwardly through a suitable guideway 17, which, as here shown, isformed between the front plate 6 of the main frame and a supplementalplate 18 rigidly secured thereto and spaced therefrom by projections 19which also serve to divide the space between the plates 6 and 18 intothree separate guideways. Preferably the rear wall of the guideway, thatis, the wall adjacent to the gummed side of the stamps is serrated orprovided with longitudinal ribs 20 having narrow contact edges withwhich the stamps engageand to which they are not likely to adhere. Nearthe lower end of each guideway 17 is a pair of feeding rollers 21 and22, the roller 21 being preferably providedywith a rubber facing. Therollers 21 for the several strips of stamps are preferably operated inunison and, as here shown, they are rigidly secured to a shaft 23journaled in bearings 2s of the main frame andprovided with means forrotating the same. In the present instance, one end of the shaft 23extends through one of the end walls 8 of the casing and has securedthereto an operating handle or crank 25. i The second feed "roller 22 ofeach pair constitutes a pressure roller and the several rollers 22 areindependently movable into and out of operative relation with theircorresponding positively driven rollers 21. As here shown. each roller22 mounted onthe forward arm 26 of a yoke 27 which is pivotally mountedat its upper end on a shaft 28 extending lengthwise of 'the main fameand mounted in the walls 1 and 2 thereof. Each yokeis acted upon by aspring which tends to move the same and the roller 22 carried thereby.forwardly and into operative relation with thecorresponding feed roller21. As here shown. a coil spring 29 is interposed between the rear arm30 of the yoke and the tie bar t of the main frame. This springpreferably adjustable and to accomplish this I have mounted in the ticbar 4 a screw threaded stud or pin 31 having on its inner end a collar32 against which the end of the spring 29 bears. By adjusting theposition of this stud or pin on the main frame the tension of the springmay be regulated, to vary the pressure of the roller :22

against the roller 21. Extending lengthwise of the main frame andbetween the two arms of the several yolics 27 is a cam shaft 3'3 andrigidly secured to this shaft and ad- .jacent to each yoke is a cam illadapted to act upon the rear arm of the yoke and force the samerearwiu'diy against the tension of the spring :29. In the presentinstance. a screw threaded stud 35 adjustably mounted in the rear arm ofthe yoke and has its i11- ner end tapered to engage the cam projection34. By adjusting the stud 33 with relation to the yoke arm the amount ofmovement llllllill'l'GCl to the roller 22 may be regulated. The camshaft 33 is driven from the shaft of the feed rollers and to this endthe latter shaft has secured thereto a gear 36 which meshes with a gear37 which is secured to the cam shaft The gears are. in the presentinstance, of such a ratio that the feed rollers 21 will make one and onequarter revolutions for each complete revolution of the cam shaft; thisbeing, done to cause the stamp strips to be advanced the desireddistance upon each complete revolution of the "am shaft. The pressurerollers are preferably locked normally in their retracted or inoperativepositions and the locking means is of such a. character that thepressure rollers for the two cent stamps and for the one cent stamps areseparately locked and can be separately released. To this end the yoke27 of the two cent stamp roller is carried by a sleeve 13? mounted onthe shaft flfl as shownin Fig. 9, and journuhrd in the end member 2 ofthe main frame the sleeve forming the bearing for the shaft and havingmovementrelatively thereto. The yokes 27 for the respective pressurerollers for the one cent stamps are carried by sleeves 38 and 35),respectively, the sleeve 38 being rigidly secured to the shaft 255 andthe sleeve 39 being loosely mounted on the shaft 28, thus permitting thetwo pressure rollers for the one cent stamps to have movement relativelyone to the other to enable them to be properly adjusted. In order thatthe intermediate yoke 27 carried by the sleeve 39 may be locked in itsretracted position 1 have provided the sleeve 3!) with an upwardlyextending arm 4-0. the upper end of wh ch lies in front of an obliquelyextending arm 41 extending upwardly from the sleeve :38 so that when thesleeve 38 is roclml in a direction to retract its pressure roller thearm ll will engage the arm 4:0 and cause the retraction of the pressureroller carried by the intermediate yokefQT. The relation of the arms ll)and 41 may be regulated by means of an adjustable screw 42 mounted inone of the arms and arranged to engage the other. Iligidly secured tothe shaft 528 at one end of the main frame is an arm 4-3 and rigidlysecured to the yoke for the sleeve T37 is an arm 44. ee Figs: ll andi2).

The arms 43 and l-l constitute locking arms and each is provided at itslower end with a pin to arranged to be engaged by a nose or projection46 extending upwardly from a second locking arm et'T mounted on a stud4'8 carried by the adjacent end inei'nber of the mainframe. Thepositions of the locking arnis l? are controlled by means of levers 49,mounted on the shaft 50 at the rear low t portion of the machine andextending forwardly to positions adjacent to the pressure rollers. 'l.he forward ends of the levers til are connected by means of links 51with the respective locking arins -il7. A spring- 52 acts on each lever4-9 to more the same upwardly and thereby hold the locking arm 45? inits operative position. lVhen the pressure rollr is in its operativeposition the pin +l on the locking arm it will lie in the path of thenose 46 and when the arms? inoves iqjiwardly the nose will engage thepin and will remain in this position until the yoke has been retractedby the action of the cam 34, when the nose l6 will spring in front ofthe pin l5 and lock the arm as, theyolte 28, and pressure roller intheir retracted positions. The pressure rollers are released from thelocking device the action of the coin controlled mechanism which will behereinafter described.

The amount of movement in'ipartedto the stamp strips by the feed rollersis positively controlled by means of a controlling device having partssuch as spring; actuated pins, adapted to enter openings formed in thestrip between the adjacent articles. In the case of postage stamps theseopenings are in the form of a transverse series of perforations, whilein tickets they frequently take the form of notches in they lateraledges of the strip. Each controlling device, as here shown, COHlPtli-IESa frame or head 53'carried by an arin 54 which ispivotally mounted on ashaft 55 extending lengthwise of the main fran'ie in front of theguideways 17. b lidnhly mounted in the frainc fi are a plurality of pins56 which are yield-ably supported therein that they will be retracted bycontact with an unperforated portion of the strip. in the presentconstruction the sine or head is provided with a series of e uidewa vs57 in which are mounted a corresponding plurality of plnngers 58 eachcarrying one of the pins 56. Springs 59 confined in the respectiveguideways between the plungers 58 and the ends of the guideways serve topress the pins outwardly, but these springs are very light and permitthe pins to be easily retacted, Preferably the pins are greater innumber than the man ber of perforations between adjacent stamps and arespaced apart a distance less than the distance between the adjacentperforations of the stamp strip. Consequently there will always be twoor more pins in line with the perforations in the stamp strip regardlessof any lateral displacement of the strip with relation to thecontrolling device. The controlling device mounted for movement ahout'tlands oftlie shaft 55 and the walls the gnideivaysoi are provided withopenll-he controlling device held normall in its innermostposition withthe pins to inthe perforations of the stamp strip and when the machineis to be operated the controlling device for the strip of stamps,automatically withdrawn to release the stamp strip and is'retained inits retracted posi lion until the stamp stip has been advancedapprrmiinalely the desired distance,but be fore the ip has completed itsmovement the controlling device is again moved ini to permit the pins 56to enter the guidewardly and the pins 56 brought in contact \vitlrtheface of the strip. The pressure of the pins against the face of thestrip will not appreciably affect its forward movement and as soon asthe row of perforations is brought into line with the controlling devicetwo or more of the pins 56 will enter said perforations, thus positivelychecking the inoven'ient of the stamp strip. Thefjcontrolling devicesfor the stamps of different denoininatioi is are separately controlledand to this end the arms 54 of the controlling devices for the two onecent stamp strips are rigidly connected with the shaft 55 and areactuated therel'iy, while the controlling device for the two cent stainpstrip is rigidly secured to a sleeve 60 loosely mounted on the shaft 55and journa'led in a hearing (it in the main frame. This sleeve alsoconsstituting a bearing for the adjacent end of the shaft 55, the two partsbeing freely ro- 1 v tatable relatively one to toe other. Rig dlysecured to the shaft 55 and the sleeve 60, beyond the respective framemembers 1 and 2, are arms 62 which are acted upon by sprn'igs 63 to movethe controlling devices inwardly either lever 49 is moved downwardly, aswill hereinafter appear, the corresponding controlling device will bemoved outwardly into its inoperative position, as shown in Figs,lOandll. h

The movements of the controllingdevices into their inoperative and.operative positions and the timing; of these movements are controlled bysuitable coin controlled, niecln fit) anism, it being remembered thatthere are separate coin controlled mechanisms for the one cent stampsand for the two cent stamps. These coin controlledmechanisms areidentical in construction and operation and each is adapted to receiveeither a nickel or a dime. The mechanism is of such a character t-hhtwhen a dime is deposited in one of the coin chutes and the mechanismoperated the purchaser will receive either four two cent stamps or eightone cent stamps according to the denomination ofthe chute which he hasselected. If "a nickel is placed in either chute the purchaser willeither receive two two cent stamps or four one cent stamps according tothe denomination he has selected. It will be noted that the presentmachine is designed to sell stamps at a profit but it will be obviousthat the mechanism can he readily adjusted to sell stamps or other.articles at their face value. Each coin controlled mechanism comprisesan actuating device which is operated from the cam shaft 33 and isoperatively connected with the con trolliiig deviceby a coin controlledmember which is connected with the controlling device and which may beconnected withthe actuating device in either of two positions, dependingupon whether the coin deposited was a five cent coin or a ten cent coin.This actuating device 'is here shown as an arm 68 rigidly secured to ashaft'69 mounted in the rear portion of the machine and is provided atits forward end with two depending fingers 70 and 71. Rigidly secured tothe shaft 69 is an arm 72 extending downwardly and having at itslowerend a contact roller 73 arranged to be engaged by a cam 7i securedto the cam shaft 33. The arrangement is such that the contact. of thecam with the arm 72 will rock the shaft 69 ahout its axis and move theactuating arm 68 downwardly. The actuating arm 68 is connectedwith thecontrolling device by means of a coin controlled member here shown inthe form of an arm 75 pivotally mounted at its lower end on the lever 49and having at its upper end a lateral projection 76 adapted to be movedinto line with either of the fingers 7 O or 71 of the actuating arm.This arm 75 is provided with an offset portion 77 to permitit to passalioutthe canrshaiit 33 and is also provided with a forwardly extendingportion or finger 78 adapted to enter the vertical coin chute 10. Aspring 79 acts upon the arm 7 5 to move the samenormally to its rearmostposition in which position the finger 78 will project into the coinchute and extend into the path of any coin which may be deposited in thechute. The arm 75 is preferably guided between guide members 80 and ishereshown as provided with a rearward projection 81 constituting a stopto limit its rearward movement. When the armis in its rearinost positionwith the finger 78 projecting into the coin chute the projection or stud76 at the upper end there of will be out of alinement with both lingers70 and 71 of the actuating arm and conse quently the movement of thisarm will not be transmitted to the controlling device and the stampstrip will not be released. Alter the coin has been deposited in thechute and rests on the finger 78, asshown in Fig. .6, the crankoperated, thus impartingnlove m'entboth to the cam shaft 33 and to thepositively driven feed rollers 21 but inasmuch as the pressure rollers22 are locked in their inoperative positions the feed rollers do notfunction. The cam shaft 32:) is provided with a cam projection or finger82 ar ranged to engage the arm 75 and move the same forwardlyagainst thetension of the spring 7 9, thus witlulrawing the finger 78 from the coinchute and permitting the coin to move downwardly onto a stop 83 whichprojects through one of the side walls of the chute. The arrangement ofthe stop 83 is such that the coin resting upon the same will hesupported in the path of the finger. 78 01 the arm 75 and when the camprojection 82 has moved out of engagement with the arm 75 and the latteris permitted to move rearwardly under the influence o t the spring 79the linger 78 will engage the coin and check the movement of the arm ina position determined by the diameter of the coin. It the coin is a tencent coin the arm will be positioned with the projection 7 6 in linewith the finger of the actuating arm 68 and if the coin is a nickel thearm 7 5 will be positioned with the projection 76 in line with the otherfinger 71. oi the actuating arm. Should a penny he dropped into thechute the arm will he positioned "midway between the finger 70 and 71and no connection will be established. Assumingthat the coin in thechute is a dime the lever 75 will have assumed the position shown inFig. 10 with the stud 76 in line with the finger 70 of the actuatingarmand the further movement oithc cam shaft will cause the cam 74L to acton the arm 7 .2 to rock the shaft (39 and move the actuating arm 68dou-nwardly. This movement is transmitted through the count-noting arm75 to the lever l9 and the down an] movement of the lever l9 actuatesthe locking arm L7 to release the yoke carrying the 'iressure roller 22.thereby permitting this roller to be moved by the action oi the spring29 into operative relation with the positively driven roller 21.. Thedownward movement of the lever 49 is transmitted by the link orconncicting bar 65 to the controlling device which is moved outwardlyinto the position shown in Fig. 10. thereby releasing the stamps andpermitting them to be advanced by the feed rollers. By reference to Fig.6,

it will be noted that when the actiiating loo Lemme arm 68 is in itsnormal position, that is, its position prior to its operation, theprojection 76 on the arm 75 when positioned by a dime will lie close tothe finger 70 but when the arm is positionedby a nickel the projectionwill lie a considerable distance from the finger "1 so that the arm 68will have an appreciable idle movement before the operation of the levertakes place. Consequently the linger 70 will move the arm 75 downwardlya greater distance than will he finger 7 1. When the arm 75 is moveddownwardly by the linger 71, that is, when it ispositioned by a-Vnickel,it is held in its lowered position until. the cam 7 4 has cleared theroller 73 on the arm 72. at which time the actuating arm 68 is releasedand the arm 75 is moved upwardly by the spring actuated arm 49, thuspermitting the controlling device 53 to be moved into engagement withthe stamp strip by means of the spring 63. i Vhcn a dime has beeninserted in the coin chute the controlling device must be held out ofengagement with the stamp strip for a greater length of time and, withthe arrangement of parts here shown, the greater movement imparted tothe connecting arm 75 by the finger 70 of the actuating arm will causethe lever 49 to move down far enough to permit a pin or locking stud 84carried by the lever 49 to be engaged by a shoulder 85 on a locking arm86 which is moved into such engagement with the pin 84 by a spring 87.The controlling device is thereby retained in its inoperative positionafter the cam T4 has moved out of engagcment with the roller 73 and isretained in this position until the lever 49 is released from thelocking device. To accomplish this the locking device or arm 86-hasatrip finger 88. which extendsinto the path of a pin 89 carried by arotatable part rigidly secured to the cam shaft In the present instance,the pin 89 on one side of the machine carried by the gear 37 and the pin89 on the other side of the machineis carried by a cam disk 90, thepurpose of which will be hereinafter described. The pin 89 is soarranged that it will move the locking arm 86 into an inoperativeposition just before the stamp strip completes its forward movement,thus enabling the controlling device to engage the face of the stampbefore the line ot perforations is brought into line therewith. W henthe lever 49 is released, either from the cam 74 or from the locking arm86, the locking arm 47 will move upwardly and the nose 46 thereof willengage the pin 45 on the yoke locking arm 44 and will remain in thisposition until the cam shaft has further rotated and the cam 34 retractsthe yoke and pressure roller, thus moving the pin 45 out of line withthe nose 46 and permitting the latter to move into locking relationthereto, in which position retraction of the pressure roller 22. Dur-:

ing this interval the feed rollers will slip on the stamp strip. Thepressure exerted on the pressure roller 22 is verylight as it is notnecessary to tightlygrip the stamp strip inorder to advance the same.Due to this light pressure of the pressure roller and the rubber facingon the positively driven roller 21 the rollers will slip on the stampstrip without exertingthereon a pull strong enough to damage the same.

The guidcways 17 for the stamp strips terminate just below the feedrollers and at the upper end of a delivery chute 90 which opens throughthe front wall of the cabinet 8: In the present machine a sin ledelivery.

chute receives the stamps from all the guide ways, but obviously aseparate chute may be provided for each delivery mechanism if desired.interposed between the upper end of the delivery chute 90 and the lowerends of the several guideways is a suitable cutter for severing from thestrip or strips of stamps those stamps which are to be delivered. 111the present constructlon, a single cutter operates on'the three stripsof stamps and if both delivery ll'leC-llitIllSlIls have beensimultaneously operated, as can be readily done by inserting a coin inboth chutes, the

stamps from all three strips will be severed at one time. As here shown,the cutting device comprises a fixed cutterbar .91 extendingtransversely to the several guideways and a blade 92'cooperating withthe fixed cutting bar and extending for the full length thereof. Thisblade is secured at one end to vertical shaft 93 1ournaled in suitablebearings on the main frame and acted upon by a spring which tends tohold the blade normally in its lDOPQltliJlVG position. As

here shown, the spring 94 is coiled about the shaft 93 and is connectedat one end with a collar 95 which is rigidly secured to the shaft and atthe other end with a. fixed part of the mechanism. Rigidly secured tothe shaft 98 between its ends is a laterally projecting actuating arm195 which is pref erablyprovided with a roller 96 arranged to beactuated by the cam 90 on the cam shaft This cam is provided witha shortcam 33. projection 97 which is so arranged that after the controllingdevice has entered the perforations on the stamp str p it will engagetheroller 96 and rotate the sha'tt 93 1n a direction to force the cutterblade 92 inwardly [ill ' the coin chute.

and cause it to sever the several stamps which, have been projectedbeyond the cut' terbar. It will be noted that the cutting edge of thecutter bar 91 is spaced from the operative position ofthe pins 56 of thecon trollingdevice a distance equal, in thepresentinstance, to twostamps, thus when the pins have entered the perforations in the stripthe perforations at the end of the stamp or stamps which are to besevered are in line witlrthe cutting edge of the cutter bar and the lineof severance will be along therow ot perforations between the stamps.The cam 3a is preferably so arranged that the pressure roller 22 will beretracted prior tothe cutting operation,thus leaving the stamp stripfree-and avoiding any likelihood of its buckling during the cuttingoperation. 1

, The stop 83 which supports the coin in the coin chute is carriedb alever 98 pivotally mounted at its lower end, as shown at 99, and actedupon by a spring 100 which tends to move it inwardly sons to maintainthe stop 83 in the path of the coin in The upper end of the lever 98extends beyond the stop 83 and has an inwardly inclined portion 101which lies in the path of apin 102secured to the end of the cam shaft 33and arranged to engage the inclined portion 101 of the lever just priorto the completion of the rotation of the cam shaft thereby forcing thelever outwardly and withdrawing the stop 83 from the. coin chute topermit the coin to drop through the chute and into a suitable coinreceptacle. At this time the connecting arm 75 has been released and thefinger 78 thereof will enter the coin chute as the coin which has beenreleased drops out of the chute and will thus interruptthe movement ofthe following coin. In Figs. 6, 10 and 11, I one embodimentot the coincontrolled selective mechanism but it will be understood that theprinciple embodied in this mechanism may take various forms and in Figs.15, 16 and 17, I have shown second embodiment of the idea. In the secondform of the selective mechanism the mechanism substantially the same asthat above de scribed but I have added thereto a device adapted toengage the coin in the chute and move the same against the coincontrolled member 75, so as to move the latter outward lya distancecorresponding to the diameter of the coin and thus position the samewith relation to the fingers and 71 of the actuating device 68, the coincontrolled member being positioned'on its. outward movement instead; ofon its inward movement as above described. The projection on the member.75, which enters the coin chute, is'

made somewhat shorter in the present inhave illustrated such a lengththat it extends into the opening in the wall of the, chute but does notenter the passageway; Arranged on the opposite side of the chute andrigidly secured to a shaft 10% is an actuating member or arm 105 havingat its lower end a projection 100 adapted to extend into the coin chuteand engage the edge of the coin therein. This arm is acted upon by aspring 10? which is of a greater strengtl'i than the spring 79 whichholds the coin controlled member in llZS1Il11G1Il'l0Sl3 position andwill, therefore, when the arm 1.05 is free to move, exert pressure onthe coin and cause the member 7 5 to be moved out *ardly. The actuatingmember 0' arm 105 is controlled by a cam arm 109, also mounted on theshal t 104, and tends to rock the same in a direction to move the arm105 outwardly. The cam 108 is so arranged that it will, upon therotatimi of the shaft first. force the arm outwardly and withdraw theprojection from the chute and thereby release the coin and permit thesame to drop onto the stop 83. After the coin has been released the camwill release the arm and permit the same to be moved inwardly by thespring shaft 108 which acts on a second 10?, thereby causing the edge ofthe pro ject-ion 106 to engage the coin and position the coin controlledmember 105. In the present construction the projection 10b is providedat its upper edge with a nose 110 and the cam 108 is so shaped that thefirst portion of the movement thereof will withdraw the body of theprojection from the chute but will permit the nose 110 to jiroject intothe path of the coin, thereby supporting the same until the stop 83 hasbeen released and permitted to return to its operative position, themini having a dwell to retain the projection in this position. After thestep has returned to .its normal position the cam will impart a furtheroutward movcn'icnt to the projection 106 to release the coin before thearm and projection begin their inward morolVhen the operation has beencompleted and the coin controlled member T5 released it will be returnedto its normal po ition by the spring 70. This movement will be gradualand will be controlled by the arm the latter moved. outwardly by itscam.

While I have shown and described one c1nbodiment of my invention I wishit to he understood that I do not desire to he limited to the detailsthereof as various modifications may occur. to a person skilled in theart.

Having now fully described my invention what I claim as new and desireto secare by Letters Patent is: i 1 i 1. In an apparatus of thecharacter described, means for supporting a plurality of strips ofstamps, a pair of feed rollers for each strip of stamps, each pair offeed rollers comprising a positively driven roller, and a preszsureroller, separate pivoted member for supporting the pressure roller ofeach pair of rollers, a spring acting on said supporting member to movesaid pressure roller into operative relation to its positively drivenroller, means to retain each of said presure rollers in its inoperativeposition, ant separate coin controlled means to release the pressureroller for a selected strip of stamps.

2. In an apparatus of the character described, means for supportingthreestrips of staring-ma separate pair of feed rollers for each strip ofstamps, each pair of feed rollers comprising a positively driven rollerand a pressure roller, a separate member for supporting the pressureroller of each pair of rollers for movement toward and from thepositively driven roller, springs acting on the respectivesupportingmembers to move said pressure rollers into operative relationwith the positively driven rollers, each of said supporting membersbeing movable re..atively to the other, locking devices c011 nected withtwo of said supporting members to retain the same in their retractedpositions, one of said last mentioned supporting members having meansacting on the third supporting member to also retain it in its retractedposition, and separate coin controlled devices to actuate the respectivelock- 7i ing devices.

Lit)

3. In an apparatus of the character 'described, a pair of strip feedingrollers comprising a positively driven roller and a pressure rollermovable toward and from said positively driven roller, means forretaining said pressure roller in its retracted position, and coincontrolled means for causing said pressure roller to move towardsaidpositively driven roller.

i. In an apparatus of the character described, a pair of strip feedingrollers comprising a positively driven roller and a pressureroller, amovable member supporting said pressure roller for movement toward andfrom the positively driven roller, a spring; acting on said supporting.inember to move said roller toward said positively driven roller, alock to retain said pressure roller in its retracted positioiuand coincontrolleo means for actuatingsaid lock to release said roller.

5. In an apparatus of the character "described, a pair of feedingrollers comprising a positively driven roller and a pressure roller, amova le member supporting said aressure roller, a spring acting on saidsupporting; member tomove said pressure roller toward said positivelydriven roller, a lockinn; member connecteu with said supporting member,a spring actuated locking member cooperating with the first mentionedlocking member to retain said pressure roller in its retracted position,coin controlled means for disconnecting said locking members, and meansfor retracting said supporting member to permit the springactuatedlocking member to operatively engage the first mentioned locking member.

6. In an apparatus of the character described, two pairs of feedingrollers, each pair comprising a positively driven roller and a pressureroller, movable members support ing the respective pressure rollers andmounted for independent movement about a common axis, springs acting onsaid supporting HIGHllQGIS to move said pressure rollers toward saidpositively driven rollers, means acting on one of said sup )ortin;members to retain the same in. its retracted position, a part carried bysaid last mentioned supporting member and engaging the other supportingmember to retain said last mentioned supporting member in its retractedposition, and coin controlled means for actuating said retaining meansto release said supporting members.

7. In an apparatus of the character described, a strip feeding device, adevice to control the movement imparted to the strip by said feedingdevice, an actuating device for said controlling device, and a coincontrolled member to operatively connect said controlling device withsaid actuating device and movable into different operative posi tionswith relation to said actuating device.

8. In an apparatus of the character described, a strip feeding device, adevice to control the amount of movement imparted to the strip by saidfeeding device, a coin conj trolled member operatively connected withsaid controlling device to impart movement thereto, said coin controlledmember being movable into different operative positions. and anactuating device l'iaving parts to operatively engage said coincontrolling memher in said diderent positions thereof and to impart adifferent movement to said coin controlled member in each of saidpositions.

9. In an apparatus of the character described, a strip feeding device. adevice to control the movement imparted to the strip by said feeding;device. a. lever connected with said controlling device, a coin controlled member connected with said lever and movable into differentpositions with relation thereto, and an actuating device having parts torespectively engage said coin controlled member in the differentpositions thereof and to impart a different movement to said coincontrolled member in each of said. positions.

10. In an apparatus of the character described. a strip feeding device.a device to control the movement imparted to the strip by said feedingdevice, an actuating device having two contact portions, a lever ope a;tively connected with said controlling device, a coin controlled memberpivotally mounted on said lever and movable into operative relation toeither of the contact portions oi said actuating device.

11. In an apparatus of the character described, a strip feeding device,a device to control the movement of the strip by. said strip feedingdevice, a coin chute, a coin.

said coin controlled member in any, one ot a plurality of positions toimpart movement thereto. n

1.2. In anapparatus of the cha 'acter de scribed, a strip teedingdevice, a device, to control the movement imparted to the strip by saidstrip feeding device, a lever connected with said controlling device,aecoin controlled member pivotally connected with said lever and movableinto diti'erentpositions with relation thereto, an actuating devicehaving parts to engage said coin controlled member in differentpositions thereof and to impart diiiierent movement to said coincontrolled member in each of said positions, a lock to retain said coincontrolled member in one of the positions to which it is moved bysaidactuating device, and means for disengaging said'locking member fromsaid coin controlled member after a predetermined operation of saidfeeding device.

13. In an apparatus of the character idea-- scribed, astripteedingdevice, a device to control the movement imparted to thestrip by said feeding device, a lever operatively connected with saidcontrolling device, a coin chute, a coin controlled member pivotallymom'ited on said lever and having a part adapted to be moved into andout of said coin chute, a spring acting on said member to move said partinto said coin chute,

means for sup 'iorting a coin insaid chute in the path of said part,whereby the position of said member will be controlled by said coin, andan actuating device having a plurality of projections arranged to engage said coin controlledmember in different positions thereof and toimpart different movements thereto. c

It. In an apparatus of the characterde scribed, a strip feeding device,a device to control the movement imparted to the, strip by said feedingdevice, a lever controlled by said feeding device, a coin chute, a coincontrolled member pivotally mounted on Wast 1 said lever andmovable intoand out oi said com chute, means for supportmg a com within said chutein the path of said part whereby the position of said meniberwill becontrolled by said coin, an actuating device having parts to engage saidcoin controlled mcmber in either of a plurality of positions, one partof said actuating device being arranged to impart a greater movement tosaid coin controlled member than will he imparted by another part ofsaid actuating device, a 'am to operate said actuating device, and alocking device arranged to act on said coin controlled member when saidgreater movement has been imparted thereto and to retain the same insaid position independently ot'said cam, and means for disengaging saidlocking device from said coin controlled member when a. predeterminedmovement has been imparted to said feeding device.

in an a .)1')aratus oi? the character described, a pair of strip feedingrollers one of which is movable toward and from the other, a pivotedyoke to support said movable roller, a locking device to retain saidyoke in its retracted position, a device to control the movementimparted to the strip by said feed rollers, a coin controlled memberoperativcly connected with said controlling device and with the lock,for said yoke, and an actuating device to impart movement to said coincontrolled member.

- lo. 111 an apparatus of the character described, a pair of stripfeeding rollers one of which is movable toward and from the other, apivoted yoke to support said movable roller, a locking device to retainsaid yoke in its retracted position, a device to control the movementimparted to the strip by said feed rollers, a coin controlled memberoperatively connected with said controlling device and with the lock forsaid yoke, and an actuating device having a plu' rality of contactingportions, said coin controlled member being movable into line witheither of said port-ions, said portions being so arranged with relationto said men'iber that one of them will impart a greater movement theretothan the other.

17. in an apparatus of the character described, a pair of strip feedingrollers one of which is movable toward and from the other, a pivotedyoke to support said movable roller, :1. locking device to retain saidyoke in its retracted position, a device to control the movementimparted to the strip by said feed rollers, a coin controlled memberoperatively connected with said controlling device and with the lock forsaid yoke, an actuating deviceuhaving a plurality of contactingportions, said coin controlled member being movable into line witheither of said portions, said portions being so arranged with relationto said lllt) operation of said actuating device.

18, in an apparatus of the character described, strip feeding rollersone of which is movable toward andfrom the other, a pivoted yoke tosupport one of said rollers, means acting on said yoke to move saidroller toward the other roller of said pair, a locking device a onsaid'yolie to hold said roller in its retracted position, a device tocontrol the movement imparted to the strip by said feed rollers, leveroperatively connected with said controlling device and with the lock forsaid yoke, a coin chute, coin controlled member pivotally mounted onsaid lever and having a part adapted to enter said coin chute, a springacting on said lever to move said part toward the coin chute, means forsupporting a coin in said coin chute in the path of said part, wherebythe position of said member will be determined by said coin, and anactuating device having parts to engage said coin controlled member inany one of a plurality of positions and to impart different movementsthereto.

19. in an apparatus of the character described, a strip feeding deviceand a device to control the movement imparted to the strip by saidfeeding device and com prising a. frame pivotally mounted for movementtoward and from said strip, contact members yieldably mounted in saidframe and adapted to engage said strip, and coin controlled means foractuating said controlling device.

20. In an. apparatus of the character de-' scribed, means for supportinga strip of articles which are separated one from the other by openings,a feeding device for advancing said strip of articles, a frame mountedfor movement toward and from said strip, a plurality of pins yieldablymounted in said frame and adapted to en said strip'when said frame ismoved toward the same, whereby a portion of said pins will enteropenings in said strip, and coin controlled means for actuating saidframe. y y

21. In an apparatus of the character described, m-eans for supporting astrip of articles separated one from the other by rows of perforations,feeding means for advancing said strip of articles, a frame mounted formovement toward and from said strip, a series of pins y'ieldably mountedin said frame, said pins being greater in number than the perforationsin said strip, and being spaced apart distances loss than the d1stancesbetween sa1d perforations, and

coin controlled means for actuating said frame.

22. In an apparatus of the character described, means for supporting astrip of articles separated one from the other by openings, feedingdevices for advancing said strip, a frame pivotally mounted for movementtoward and from said strip, said frame having a plurality of guideways,a spring actuated plunger mounted in each of said guideways, a pincarried by each plunger and projecting beyond said frame to engage saidstrip when said frame is moved toward the same, and coin controlledmeans for actuating said frame.

23. In an apparatus of the character described, a vertically arrangedguideway,

insane for supporting a roll of. stamps at the upper end of saidguideway, means for feeding said stamps through said guideway, 21coin-controlled device to control the mov ment imparted to said stampsby said feed ing means, a delivery chute communicating with the lowerend of said guideway, a cut ting device interposed between guideway andsaid delivery chute and comprising a blade mounted on a vertical axis, aspring acting on said blade to move it in one direction, and a camacting on said blade to move the same in the other direction.

24. In an apparatus of the character described, vertically arrangedguideways, means for supporting a roll of stamps at the upper end ofeach guideway, means for feed ing said stamps through said guidevvays, acoin controlled device to control the movement imparted to said stampsby said feeding means, a delivery chute communicating with the lower endof said guideways, a cutting device interposed between the guideways andsaid delivery chute comprising a fixed cutter bar, a vertical shaftrotatably mounted at one end of said her, a cutter blade carried by saidshaft and cooperating with said cutter bar, a spring acting on saidshaft to move said blade into its inoperative position, an arm securedto said shaft, and a cam acting on said arm to impart operative movementto said blade.

25. In an apparatus of the character described, a plurality of verticalguideways, means for supporting a corresponding plurality of strips ofstamps at the upper ends of said guidevvays, a plurality of pairs offeed rollers acting on the respective strips to feed the same throughsaid gui'deways, one roller of each pair being positively driven and thepositively driven rollers of the several pairs being rotated in unisonby a common actuating device, yokes supporting the other rollers of saidpairsof rollers, the several yolzes being pivotaliy mounted for independent movement on a common axis,

. carried by said cain shaft and acting on the respective voices toretract the same, and coin controlled means to retain saidyokes in theirretracted positions.

$36. loan appaa us of the character described, a plurality of verticalguideways, means for supporting a corresponding plurality of strips ofstamps at the upper end of said guideways, a. plurality of pairs of feedrollers acting on the respective strips to feed the same through saidgnideways, one roller of each pair being positivelv driven and thepositively driven rollers oi the several pairs being rotated in. unisonby a coinnionactit ating device, yokcs supporting the other rollers ofsaid pairs of rollers, the several iokes being pivotallv mounted forinde pendent nioven'icnt on a common. axis, springs acting on therespective yokes to move the rollers toward. the correspondingpositively driven rollers a cam shaft extending through the said yolres,an operative connection between said cam shaft and the actuating devicefor said feed'rollers, cams carried by said cam shaft and acting on therespective yokes to retract the same, separate devices to control themoven' ent of the respective stamp strips by said feeding rollers,

a cam mounted on said cam shaft to actuate the several controllingdevices, and coin controlled means to control the connections betweensaid cam and said contrrjilling devices.

27.111 an apparatus of the characteryde scribed, a plurality o'tpairs orstripfeeding rollers, one roller of each pair being movable toward andfrom the other roller of that pair, independently movable structures forsupporting-the respective movable rollers, springs acting on saidstructures to move therollers carried thereby into operativerelatioiiwith the other rollers of therespective pairs, afcarn shaft,cams carried by said she it and acting on said structures to retract thesame, separate devices to control the movement iil'llPfilliPCl to thestrips by the respective feeding rollers, a (.flllTIIJOlllliOtl" on saidcain shaft to actuate the several controlling devices, and coincontrolled means to control lheconnection between said cam and saidcontrolling devices.

2%. In an apparatus of the character dcscribed, a plurality of pairs ofstrip feeding rollers, one roller oi each pair being movable remainedfrom tl'ieother, a separate canito actuate each ofsaidmovable rollers,separate devices to" control the noveinent; of the strips by'therespective plus feed "roll er-s, a

.spective controlling devices and for controlling the nu'ivcincnt oisaid controlling devices. r

:29. In an apparatus of thcclntractcr described, a strip feeding device,a device to control the movement imparted to the strip by said feedingdevice, an actuating device having two contact portions, and a coincontrolled member opcratively connected with said controlling device andhaving a part movable into operative relationwith either of the contactportions oi said actuating device.

30. In an apparatus of the character dc scribed, a strip feeding device,a device to control the increment imparted to the strip by said feedingdevice. an :aluating device, and a coin controlled member rn iei'ativelyconnected with said controlling device and having a part movable intodifferent positions with relation to said actuating device whereby thelatter will inipart different niovenicnts to said coin controlledmember.

31. In an apparatus of the character described, a strip feeding device,a device to control the movement imparted to the strip by said feedingdevice, an actuating device, a coin chute having means to support a coinwithin the same, and a member operatively connected with saidcontrolling device and having a. part movable into dill'erent opera tivcpositions with relation to said actuating device and also having a partto engage said coin and thereby position said nlcin'bcr with relation tosaid actuating device.

3" In an apparatus of the character described, a strip feeding device, adevice to control the movement imparted to the st rip by said feedingdevice, an actuating device, a coin chute having means to support a coinwithin the same, a member opcrativcly connected with said controllingdevice and 'hav-= ing a part movable into dill'erent operative positionswith relation to said actuating device and also having a part to engagesaid coin and thereby' position said member with relation lo saidactuating device, a second fa coin chute having means to support a coinwithin the sa1nc,a member opcratirely connected with said controllingdevice and having a part movable into different operative positions withrelation to said actuating device and also hav ng a part to engage saidcoin and thereby position inbnllb r with i H ll lUii

llll

relation to said actuating device, an arm movably mounted on that sideof said chute opposite said coin controlled member and having a partadapted to enter said chute and engage said coin, and means to actuatesaid arm to cause said coin controlled memher to be actuated.

34. In an apparatus of the character de scribed, a strip feeding device,a. device to control the movement imparted to the strip by said feedingdevice, an actuating device, a coin chute having means to supporta coinwithin the same, a mei'nber operatively convllG CtGl l with saidcontrolling device and haviuga part movable into different operativepositions with relation to said actuating device and also having a partto engage said coin and thereby position said inen'iber with relation tosaid actuating device, an arm movably mounted on that side of said chuteopposite said coin controlled member and having a part adapted to entersaid chute and engage said coin, a spring to impart inward movement tosaid arm, and a cam to move said arm outwardly against the tensionofsaid spring.

35. In an apparatus of the character described, a strip feeding device,a device to control the movement imparted to the strip by said feedingdevice, an actuating device,

a coin chute having openings in the opposite edges thereof, a stoparranged to support a coin within said chute in line with said openings,a member operatively connected with said controlling device and havingapart movable into different operative positions with relation to saidactuating device and also having a part arranged ad jaceut to theopening in one edge of said chute, an arm pivotally mounted adjacent tosaid chute and having a part adapted to enter the opening in the otheredge of said chute, and means to actuate said 211'111.

an. In an apparatus of the character described, a strip feeding device,a device to control the movement imparted to the strip by said feedingdevice, an actuating device, a coin chute having openings in theopposite edges thereof, a stop arranged to support a within said chutein line with said openings, a member operatively connected with saidcontrolling device and having a part movable into different operativepositions with relation to said actuating device and also having a partarranged adjacent to the opening in one edge of said chute, an armpivotally mounted adjacent to said chute. and having a part adapted toenter the opening in the other edge of said chute, said projectionhaving an inwardly extending nose arranged above that portion thereofwhich contacts with the coin, a spring to move said arm in onedirection, and a cam acting on said arm to first withdraw the body ofthe projection from said chute with tion the first mentioned part ofsaid member with relation to said actuating device.

35 in an apparatus of the character descriltied, coin controlledselective mecl anism comprising a coin chute having means to support acoin therein, an actuating device having two contact portions, and amember opcratively connected with a part to be selectively controlledand having apart movable into operative relation to either of thecontact portions of said actuating device, said member also having apart to engage a coin in said chute and thereby position the .iirstmentioned part of said member with relation to the contact portions ofsaid actuating device.

39. In an apparatus of the character de scribed, a coin controlledselective mechanism con'iprising a coin chute having means to support acoin therein, an actuating de vice, a meml ier o niratively connectedwith a part to be selectively controlled and havinga part movable intodifferent operative positions with relation to said actuating device,said member also having a part to en gage a coin in said chute, a secondmember movably mounted adjacent to said coin chute and having a partarranged to engage a coin in said chute and move said coin and the firstmentioned member to position the latter with relation to said actuatingdevice, and means to actuate said last mentioned member.

40. In an apparatus of the character described, a pair oil. stripfeeding rollers comprising a driven roller and a pressure roller, :1.pivoted yoke having two arms, one of said arms supporting said pressureroller for movement toward and from said driven roller, a spring actingon the other arm of said yoke to move said pressure roller toward saiddriven roller, and coin controlled means to control the position of saidpressure roller with relation to said driven roller.

41. In an apparatus of the character described, a pair of strip feedingrollers comprising a driven roller and a pressure roller, a pivoted yokehaving two arms, one of said arms supporting said pressure roller formovement toward and from said driven roller, a spring acting on theother arm of said yoke to move said pressure roller toward said drivenroller, means to retract said pressure roller, a lock to retain saidpressure roller in its retracted position, and coin controlled means foractuating said lock to release said pressure roller.

In an apparatus of the character described, a pair of strip feedingrollers comirising a driven roller and a pressure roller,

7 a pivoted yoke having" two arms, one of said arms supporting saidpressure roller tor movement toward and from said drivenroller, a springacting on the other arm of i said yoke to move said pressure rollertoward said driven roller. a device acting on the last mentioned arm ofsaid yoke to retract said pressure roller, a lock to retain saidpressure roller in its retracted position, and coin controlled means foractuating said lock to release said pressure roller.

.113. In an apparatus of the character de scribed, a pair ofistripfeeding rollersconb prising a driven roller and a pressure roller, apivoted yoke having two arms, one of said arms supporting said pressureroller for movement toward and from said driven strips of stamps, a pairof feed rollers for each strip of stamps, each pair of feed roll erscomprising a driven roller and a pressure roller, a plurality of pivotedyoltes each l1avingtwo arms,one arm of each yoke supporting the pressureroller 01 one pair of rollers, springs acting on the other arn'ls oi therespective yokes to move said pressure rollers toward the acorresponding driven rollers, cams arranged between the amps of therespeetive pokes and acting thereon to retract said pr sure rollers,separate means to retain the several pressure rollers in their retraetedpositions, and coin controlled means to release said pre surerollers for movement toward the corresponding driven rollers.

In anapparatusof the character described, means for supporting apli'lrality of strips of stamps, a pairof feed rollers for ea '11 stripof stamps, each pair of feed rollers comprising a driven roller and apressure roller, apluralitly of pivoted yolres each having two arms, onearm of each yoke supporting the pressure roller of one pair of rollers,springs acting: on theothe' arms of the re sport-ire pokes to move saidpressure rollers toward the corresponding driven rollers, a shaftextending between the arms of the several yolres, cams secured to saidshafts and arranged to act on the respective pokes to retract saidpressure rollers, lmiliillg means for the respective pressure rollers,and coin (tt.)lll;l.'0ll(3( l means for actuating said locking means torelease said pressure rollers.

In testimony whereof, I allix my signature hereto.

ALBERT B. VARBLE.

